Fig Tree Care: 'Can I Cut the Top of My Fig Tree Off?'

Fig enthusiasts often contemplate pruning their trees, primarily due to concerns about size and positioning issues, such as the need for ladders to harvest fruits or challenges in netting a too-large tree. For many backyard fruit growers, smaller trees are preferable. However, while pruning is beneficial, over-pruning can result in a surge in growth, causing the tree to grow up to 10 to 15 feet the following growing season. Instead, a balanced approach is advised, targeting the largest branches at their base in in-ground fig trees, thereby ensuring controlled growth. Additionally, "topping" or pinching potted fig trees during the growing season can alter the tree's hormonal balance, promoting fruiting and branching.

For fig trees growing as a single stem or whip, topping is recommended to foster branches at a more manageable height. Achieving an ideal structure, with a main trunk and several branching scaffolds, is vital for a robust and stable growth pattern. The essence of proper fig tree care is understanding the tree's hormonal responses to different pruning methods and adapting practices accordingly to achieve desired growth outcomes.

Pruning Overview (00:00):
Discusses the common question about cutting the top off a fig tree, highlighting that many people may want to prune their fig trees due to their size or positioning issues.

Reasons for Pruning (00:30):
Outlines the problems some face with overly tall or wide fig trees, such as the need for ladders to harvest or challenges netting the tree. Mentions that, for backyard fruit trees, smaller trees are often preferable.

Pruning Limitations (01:04):
Points out that while fig trees can be pruned substantially, over-pruning may result in even more rapid growth. Explains that heavy pruning could cause a tree to grow 10 to 15 feet in a single year.

In-Ground Fig Pruning (01:41):
Describes how to manage an in-ground fig tree by targeting the largest branches and cutting them at the base. This recycling approach ensures the tree remains size-controlled.

Avoid Over-Pruning (02:45):
Warns against excessive pruning as it could disrupt the tree's hormones, promoting more growth rather than fruiting. This can result in the tree growing taller rather than staying controlled in size.

Thinning vs. Heading (03:16):
Recommends a thinning cut rather than a heading cut to maintain a tree's hormonal balance. Thinning encourages a recycling growth pattern without causing excessive growth.

Container Fig Pruning (03:48):
Discusses the practice of "topping" potted fig trees, especially during the growing season. By removing the topmost growth point, one can change the tree's hormonal dominance to promote fruiting and branching.

Purpose of Topping (04:20):
Explains that topping or pinching affects a tree's hormonal balance, making the tree seek out the highest sunlight point for maximum energy. This ensures branching and scaffold formation.

Addressing Single Stem Whips (05:18):
Provides advice for those who have fig trees growing as a single stem or whip. Recommends topping to ensure that branches form at a lower, more manageable height.

Structural Goals (06:17):
Highlights the ideal structure of a fig tree with a primary trunk and multiple branching scaffolds. This ensures a strong, stable growth pattern.

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Zone 7A - Greater Philadelphia

[travelingwiththechaplain]

Thanks for this information. I pruned my tree a lot due to winter damage and lack of proper. It grew back and gave me a second chance to learn with a few figs, too. Thanks again.

[dee]

Thanks for pruning tips. It’s a big help as I grow figs in pots up here in Canada. I always find it challenging to keep them a manageable size to bring them inside for winter dormancy 💪

[YingYang-ww]

Thanks! I really needed this information RIGHT now.

[tiga]

Hi, thanks for your great films. I am European and the part of Portugal I live in I think you would call a zone 9b growing area. We get a few minor frosts in December and January. Close to sea level but about 50 km from the coast and crazy hot and no rain for the long summer. I mail ordered what was ( for me) an expensive fig and when it arrived it was the single stem spindly 6 foot whip you described. I was not happy but in belt and braces fashion decided to air layer the top two feet and notch below the air layer. After 6 weeks I cut off the successful air layer top and all the notches had sprouted so now I have 2 very good looking young trees.

[cerverg]

From my experience when grown as a tree (single trunk) in the ground: You can top it (the tallest branches) as much as you want but just don't mess with the side branches (unless they touch the ground)

[kobusdewet]

Hi Ross, I received three minute Brown Turkey fig trees, approx. 2 inches tall about a year ago from a grower. I was optimistic, babied them, growth was painfully slow till 4 Inches height was attained. In May 2023, I built a timber frame greenhouse covered in plastic reinforced opaque sheet and put these 3 plants in the greenhouse. Great was my surprise when they just took off and within 2 months all three were 5 ft tall growing in the typical Lowes buckets. Middle August, I actually nipped the growth point of each tree and now they have set as much as 4 side shoots each and are approaching 6 ft height. They look wonderful and I aim to keep them in the greenhouse during winter in Bentonville, Arkansas. I aim to give them a 2nd dash of fertilizer after the winter. Do I need to cover them with burlap if left inside the greenhouse?
How do they go into hibernation without growing throughout the winter ? Will the leaves fall off even in the greenhouse?
Please advise.
Regards,
Kobus de Wet

[itsasickness]

I’m in for a hard knocks masterclass in pruning. I did what many advised against. 3 in one plantings 18” apart and I’m trying to keep them below 7-8’. I probably should have grafted 3-4 on one but the thought of loosing them to cold damage and ending up with a 1/2 dozen LSU Purples tipped the scale. Wish me luck! Haha

[cybertones]

Ones I bought look like they’ll get tall it is about 1.5m and just started branching this spring. First time having figs in 2023. I did pinch the top branches off coz they were congested and it did help branch more. Have to wait to see if it survives our Sydney winter next year

[jerrymccarley]

Thanks for tip on pruning a fig tree that’s tall. Originally my question was can I top a high branch and just root the top with a few leafs in soil or water.

[kriswright]

I was trying to send you a picture, my figs are in full bloom and I can't recall if I'm being impatient or I hope they ripen and I was wondering if I cut the tops of them off would that put the more energy into the fruit in Cleveland fig tree has been there at least 25 years some years are produces some you're nothing Rock on like your program I'm going to top a couple branches and see if that helps

[SibrwdASMR]

Mine rarely branches. When i prune it back, i get a couple of branches. Then those branches become long & lanky too.

Any ideas?

[tn]

Should I remove all the suckers and baby fruits or cut the top off ? I just planted my 1st year fig tree, it’s about 5 feet tall but only few branches ( bought from Home Depot ), thanks

[pattiissa]

I live in zone 9 with a fig vine that has those big leaves. It is only 4 feet tall. I have idea how to take care of it. Are it’s leaves useable, too? ❤😊

[rhondatalley]

Help please ! Lol My figs gone wild ! Has lots of canes coming up and is just getting too big around . I had my son dig some up around it . About 4 big root systems before the shovel broke ! I It’s in ground . I was planing what he dug up in pots with good soil . Watered in well and straw on top . They are pretty wilted right now . Should I trim leave ? Top it ? What to do ? Trimmed all small canes off and left one in center ? I hope they sure … me ! Thanks

[JasonKeen-yn]

hey Ross, been watching ur videos, I live in zone 8a, northeast Louisiana, started a little fig orchard, I have a couple of celeste, brown turkey, lsu purple and gold, u have any advice especially any other varieties that would be good, love ur videos very in informative

[wendydong]

I thought fig tree's root system is very invasive? But in your video, the back row fig plants are very close house/building? I am going to plant a fig tree in my small courtyard, it will be 1m away driveway, 2m away from house. Can I put it in ground or I should grow in a 70L container? Many Thanks

[josephdibona]

MY IN GRUND FIG TREE IS TO TALL FOR ME TO WRAP HOW MUCH CAN I CUT OFF THE TOP?

[Sabimanku]

Hello dear I've got fig plant about 10years old only fruit ones after that is nothing even leafs only one on one stems thank you, if you can help me plz

[edwardashby]

My fig trees are in the ground. Every year they die back to the ground here in southern Indiana. I get 15 to 20 trees on each plant there about 6 to 8 foot spread. There in direct sunlight about 12 hours a day. Very healthy looking dark green leaves. It doesn't get buds for fruit until late August. I loose about 80 percent of my crop every year. How can I get more of my crop for me. I don't prune because I get winter kill every year. Any help getting bigger crops would be appreciated. I get more sun on my figs than you do in your videos. But there in a open space in the field and have southern exposure. ❤your videos. N. P.s. the only thing I forgot to tell you was my fig tree doesn't get branches mine are all spears.

[faridacasmo]

Hi just watched your programme on YouTube. Would like to ask you when to transplant a fig tree and does it alot of sun.